remission

noun

re·​mis·​sion ri-ˈmi-shən How to pronounce remission (audio)
1
: the act or process of remitting
2
: a state or period during which something is remitted

Examples of remission in a Sentence

The patient is in remission. a temporary remission of symptoms He was given remission for good behavior.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Dvorak is also developing a Bad Survivor TV series inspired by her time as a model in Manhattan while hiding her cancer remission. Catherine Santino, People.com, 7 Aug. 2025 That’s important during remission, as your body works to heal the lining of the gut and restore the right balance of bacteria, Dr. Nahar says. Mara Santilli, SELF, 27 June 2025 The result is a treatment that has proved effective in driving blood cancers into remission, scientists say. Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 July 2025 Six months after surgery, 12 of the 20-person cohort experienced a profound lifting of their depressive symptoms, with 7 going into full remission. IEEE Spectrum, 30 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for remission

Word History

Etymology

Middle English remissioun "release from obligation, forgiveness," borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French remissiun, borrowed from Latin remissiōn-, remissiō "sending back, release, abatement, cancellation (of a debt)" (Late Latin, "forgiveness, as of sins"), from remittere "to send back, release, relax, waive (a debt, punishment)" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at remit entry 1

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of remission was in the 13th century

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Cite this Entry

“Remission.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/remission. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

remission

noun
re·​mis·​sion ri-ˈmish-ən How to pronounce remission (audio)
1
: the act or process of remitting
2
: a state or period during which something is remitted

Medical Definition

remission

noun
re·​mis·​sion ri-ˈmish-ən How to pronounce remission (audio)
: a state or period during which the symptoms of a disease are abated
cancer in remission after treatment
compare arrest, cure entry 1 sense 1, intermission

Legal Definition

remission

noun
re·​mis·​sion ri-ˈmi-shən How to pronounce remission (audio)
: the act or process of remitting

More from Merriam-Webster on remission

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